Family MUGILIDAE

Silhouette

Mullets are medium to large-sized silvery-grey
fishes with a moderately long body, two short-based, widely separated dorsal
fins, pectoral fins set high on the body and a concave to slightly forked tail.
The head is broad and flattened, with a small mouth and eyes partly covered by
an adipose eyelid. Body covered in large rough scales, lateral line absent.

A diverse family of pelagic nearshore fishes found
worldwide in tropical to temperate marine, estuarine and freshwaters. Mullets
are ecologically, recreationally and commercially important
throughout their range.

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Family Taxonomy

The Mugilidae comprises 72 described species in 20 genera worldwide (Eschmeyer & Fong 2012). Ten genera and 22 species are currently recognised from Australian waters. Additional species may occur here as much of the Australian material in museum collections has not been fully studied from either a morphological or a molecular perspective.

Family Distribution

Mullets are widespread in coastal waters of all tropical and temperate seas and estuaries. They typically forage in schools in estuaries, bays and on coral reefs.

Body covered in moderate to large ctenoid scales, with large modified scales at pectoral, pelvic and dorsal fin bases; lateral line absent.

Family Size

Medium to large-sized fishes reaching about 160 cm in length.

Family Colour

Usually silvery-grey, paler below.

Family Feeding

Mullet are filter feeders, with a specially adapted branchial mechanism (Harrison & Howes 1991). Although they feed mostly on detritus and algae, they also eat insects, zooplankton and fish eggs.

Family Reproduction

Because mullets are commercially, some species have been well-studied. The sexes are separate, fertilisation is external and females produce many small pelagic eggs.

Family Commercial

Mullets are recreationally and commercially
important in many areas throughout their range. They are also aquacultured in many parts of the world, both for food and to enhance fish stocks. In Southeast Asia, mullets are often cultured in ponds. They are considered to be excellent eating.

Morgan, D.L., M.G. Allen, P. Bedford & M. Horstman.
2004. Fish fauna of the Fritzoy river in the Kimberley region of Western
Australia - including the Bunuba, Gooniyandi, Ngarinyin, Nyikina and Walmajarri
Aboriginal names. Records of the
Western Australian Museum 22: 147-161.